Dylan is in the newspaper!

Here is the on-line version to today's (3/29/08) Sacramento Bee. I had submitted the photo to the Bee's weekly baby photo editor about three weeks ago. It was very surprising to see his photo in the paper, as we got no advanced notice. I thought, given the lack of cute babies shown weekly, we ought to share the wealth a bit with everyone...

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Snapshots: Rice is nice, but messy
Lives in focus
Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, March 29, 2008
Story appeared in section, Page K12

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The subject: Dylan Joseph Zarate, 5 months old

The snapshot: Dylan was enjoying a bowl of rice cereal fed to him by his mom, Jennifer Ambrose, when his dad, Ernest Zarate, snapped this photograph. The family lives in Sacramento.

More Sitting!

OK, here are a few more photos taken by Jennifer of the little man doing his thing! We love the last photo especially...

Dylan Joseph Zárate, March 2008

Dylan Joseph Zárate, March 2008

Dylan Joseph Zárate, March 2008

The Little Man Sits!

Jennifer recorded a very significant moment in our son's life with these photos. For weeks now, Dylan and Mommy and Poppy have all been working on him sitting up on his own. A good portion of this has been at the boy's insistence - he has grown increasingly unhappy with anything other than lying flat on his back or sitting up. Anything in-between, and he struggles to sit up at a 90 degree angle.

So today, March 11, one day prior to his six months date, he sits up, on his own, for minutes at a stretch! Long enough for Jennifer to snap several photos (we need to get Mommy a decent camera - the video camera just doesn't cut it!) while he does the delicate dance of correcting any listings or leanings. I am impressed and awed! He is one terrific kid.

Dylan at Home!

Ah, the joys of eating! Dylan enjoying his meal
Sacramento, February 2008

Dylan gives a shout out to his bros via the bib: I Love My Big Brother(s)
Sacramento, February 2008

Well, after the dust settled from all the visiting and traveling last month, we are getting a chance to recover and recuperate. Much needed. Here are a couple photos of the boy, just Dylan chillin' and taking it easy...

The Big Visit!

My 3 Sons: Matt, Jack and Dylan, Sacramento, February 2008

Jack and Dylan, Gettin' to Know Each Other
Sacramento, February 2008

My 3 Sons, II: Matt, Dylan and Jack, Sacramento, February 2008

My 3 Sons, III: Matt, Dylan and Jack... again.
Sacramento, February 2008

My Three Sons (and me) IV: Poppy, Matt, Jack and Dylan
Sacramento, February 2008

Proud expecting parents: Teresa and Jack
Fresno, February 2008

Jack, Dylan and Teresa, Fresno, February 2008

Teresa, Dylan and Jack, Sacramento, February 2008

Teresa, Dylan and Jack, Sacramento, February 2008

Poppy, Teresa, Dylan and Jack
Sacramento, February 2008

The Big Visit finally happened! My (formerly) youngest son, Jack, and his girlfriend, Teresa, flew out here to Sacramento on February 19th. We have all been waiting for this for many months now, and it was just as exciting as all the anticipation. Jack and Dylan would meet, face to face, and then the little boy would know both his big brothers.

Jack arrived sicker than the proverbial dog, and so he and Teresa stayed with some family friends in Elk Grove. And they also had a very full schedule visiting friends all over the area. It had been over a year since Teresa was in town, and nearly that for Jack, so they had a lot of catching up to do. But we did get to spend some time with them, and enjoyed every moment.

While they were here, we got some very exciting news from them. Teresa is pregnant! That means Dylan is going to be an uncle, and I am going to be a grandfather! I was beside myself with happiness at the news - I had thought about the possibilities of being both a new daddy and a new granddaddy when Dylan was 'under construction' and I thought that was pretty amusing, but did not imagine it very likely. Well, color me wrong, and wrong in a good way! So in about 8 months or so, another baby enters into the world in our family. Very exciting!

The photos of the three brothers were all taken early in the morning, just before we rushed out the door to drive Jack and Teresa back to San Francisco to catch their plane. That may explain the morning hair I am sporting and the occasional morning fog in my eyes. But I was very happy to have some photos with all three of my sons! They are all wonderful and I am a very lucky guy indeed to have 3 fine sons!

Dylan's First Trip to San Francisco!

After we took Jack and Teresa to the airport, Jennifer and I decided to head into The City for a short visit. We first went to one of our regular spots, a burrito restaurant on Mission Street, near 23rd Street. Dylan enjoyed the ambiance, and you can rest assured that he will be a huge fan of all sorts of Mexican food as he was very focused on what we were eating.

Dylan and Mommy, San Francisco, February 2008

Then, after our tummies were full, it was off for Dylan's first visit to the beach. Ocean Beach, to be specific. We parked the van, got Dylan ready and took him for an old fashioned stroll along the boardwalk. He got a big kick out of seeing all the people, the seagulls and the rest of it. Many more trips to the beach for this little boy!

Dylan and Poppy, San Francisco, February 2008

The day was absolutely beautiful in San Francisco, and we had a very good time being there with Dylan. Just the first of many trips to come to this wondrous place!